Phenoxyalkylcarboxylic acid derivatives and process for their preparations

ABSTRACT

Phenoxyalkylcarboxylic acid derivative represented by the following formula, 
                 
 
wherein R 1  indicates hydrogen atom, methyl group or ethyl group, m is an integer from 2 to 5, and n is an integer from 3 to 8, X 1  and X 2  each independently represent sulfur atom, oxygen atom, sulfinyl group or sulfonyl group, proviso X 1  and X 2  are not simultaneously oxygen atom; their alkali salts and hydrates thereof are useful as antiallergic agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is concerned with certain novel phenoxyalkylcarboxylic acid derivatives which have strong and selective leukotriene antagonist activity, and are useful for prevention and treatment of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma and so on, their intermediates and their preparation processes thereof.

Moreover, it relates to certain novel phenoxyalkylcarboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula (I),

wherein R¹ indicates hydrogen atom, methyl group or ethyl group, m is an integer from 2 to 5, and n is an integer from 3 to 8, X¹ and X² each independently represents sulfur atom, oxygen atom, sulfinyl group or sulfonyl group, proviso X¹ and X² are not simultaneously oxygen atom; their alkali salts and hydrates thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Leukotrienes (leukotriene C₄, D₄, E₄), which are metabolites of arachidonic acid through 5′-lipoxygenase pathway, are constituents of SRS-A (slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis), being an important mediator of the immediate type allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma. Accordingly, the drugs which exert antagonistic effects on leukotrienes are promising in the treatment of allergic diseases. But, only few drugs having those effects through the internal use are known and none is practically used.

Compounds having somewhat similar structure with those of the present invention are described in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication (Kokai) Sho No. 58-189137 which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,498. These compounds can be characterized by the ether bond, but they never have thioether bond and thus, they are structurally different from the compounds of the present invention. Moreover, the compounds described in the art have been revealed to be less effective and are not useful as compared with the compounds of the present invention.

3. Detailed Description of the Invention

As the result of diligent studies about leukotriene antagonists, the inventors have found that the compounds represented by the general formula (I) possess strong and selective leukotriene antagonist activity even afier an oral administration and further found that they have surprisingly therapeutic effects on airway hyperreactivity induced in guinea pigs, which lead to completion of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the compounds of the general formula (I) can be prepared on the hereinafter mentioned routes. (1) Compound of the general formula (Ia) can be prepared by allowing compounds of the general formula (II) to react with compounds of the general formula (III)

(wherein R² indicates methyl group or ethyl group, m is an integer from 2 to 5, n is an integer from 3 to 8, X¹ indicates sulfur atom, oxygen atom, sulfinyl group or sulfonyl group, X³ indicates sulfur atom or oxygen atom, proviso X¹ and X³ are not simultaneously oxygen atom)

(wherein R², n and X³ are as defined in the above)

(wherein Y indicates, halogen atom and X¹ are as defined in the above)

It is preferable that this reaction is conducted in an organic solvent, for example acetone, methylethylketone, diethylketone or dimethylformamide etc. under a reaction temperature of the room temperature to the solvent refluxing temperature. In addition, the presence of an inorganic base, for example potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate etc. and further the addition of potassium iodide are also recommendable.

(2) Compounds represented by the general formula (Ib) can be prepared by allowing compounds of the general formula (IV) to react with compounds of formula (V).

(wherein R² indicates methyl group or ethyl group, m is an integer from 2 to 5, n is an integer from 3 to 8, X² indicates sulfur atom, oxygen atom, sulfinyl group or sulfonyl group and X³ indicates sulfur atom or oxygen atom, proviso X² and X³ are not simultaneously oxygen atom)

(wherein Y¹ indicates halogen atom, and R², X², m and n are as defined in the above)

(wherein X³ is as defined in the above)

It is preferable that this reaction is conducted in an organic solvent, for example acetone, methylethylketone, diethylketone or dimethylformamide etc. under a reaction temperature of the room temperature to the solvent refluxing temperature. In addition, the presence of an inorganic base, for example potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate etc. and further the addition of potassium iodide are also recommendable.

(3) Compounds represented by the general formula (IIa) can be prepared by allowing compounds of the general formula (VI) to react with compounds of the general formula (VII), followed by removing the protective group.

(wherein R² indicates methyl group or ethyl group and n is an integer from 3 to 8)

(wherein R³ indicates a protective group) Y²−(CH₂)_(n)COOR²   (VII) (wherein Y² indicates halogen atom, and R² and n are as defined in the above)

It is preferable that this reaction is conducted in an organic solvent, for example acetone, methylethylketone, diethylketone or dimethylformamide etc. under a reaction temperature of the room temperature to the solvent refluxing temperature. In addition, the presence of an inorganic base, for example potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate and further the addition of potassium iodide are also recommendable.

In the compounds of the general formula (VI), dimethylaminocarbonyl group or benzyl group etc. can be exemplified as the protective group for thiol group.

(4) The compounds represented by the general formula (IIa) can also be prepared by the following process. The compounds of the general formula (VI) are allowed to react with compounds of the general formula (VIIIa) to give compounds of the general formula (IX). Y—(CH₂)_(n)—Y¹   (VIIIa) (wherein Y and Y¹ indicate identical or different halogen atom, and n is an integer from 3 to 8)

(wherein R³ indicates a protective group, Y¹ and n are as defined in the above)

It is preferable that this reaction is conducted in an organic solvent, for example acetone, methylethylketone, diethylketone or dimethylformamide under a reaction temperature of the room temperature to the solvent refluxing temperature. Then, the compounds represented by the general formula (IX) are allowed to react with sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide to give compounds of the general formula (X).

(wherein R³ and n are as defined in the above)

It is preferable that this reaction is conducted in an organic solvent, for example dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethylformamide under a temperature of the room temperature to 100° C. Further, the compounds represented by the general formula (X) are subjected to hydrolysis and then to esterification with alcohol to give the compounds of the general formula (IIa). The hydrolysis of nitrile proceeds preferably with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in aqueous solution, and the esterification is preferably performed by refluxing in alcohol and in the presence of conc. sulfuric acid or a certain amount of a catalyst.

(5) Compounds represented by the general formula (IVa) can be prepared by allowing the compounds of the general formula (IIa) to react with compounds of the general formula (VIII).

(wherein R² indicates methyl group or ethyl group, Y¹ indicates a halogen atom, m is an integer from 2 to 5 and n is an integer from 3 to 8) Y—(CH₂)_(m)—Y¹   (VIII) (wherein Y indicates a halogen atom, Y¹ and m are as defined in the above)

It is preferable that this reaction is conducted in an organic solvent, for example acetone, methylethylketone, diethylketone or dimethylformamide under a reaction temperature of the room temperature to the solvent refluxing temperature. In addition, the presence of an inorganic base, for example potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate and further the addition of potassium iodide are also preferable.

(6) Compounds of the general formula (III) or (IV), in which X¹ and X² are both sulfinyl group, can be prepared by oxidizing compounds represented by the general formula (IIIa) or (IVa).

(wherein Y indicates a halogen atom and m is an integer from 2 to 5)

(wherein Y¹ indicates a halogen atom, R² indicates methyl group or ethyl group, m is an integer from 2 to 5 and n is an integer from 3 to 8)

The compounds of the general formula (III) or (IV) can typically be prepared by allowing the compounds represented by the general formula (IIIa) or (IVa) to react with a mild oxidizing agent, for example m-chloroperbenzoic acid, hydrogen peroxide etc., of equimolar or excess amount in an adequate solvent, for example methylene chloride, alcohol etc. respectively.

(7) Compounds of the general formula (III) or (IV), in which X¹ and X² are both sulfonyl group, can be prepared by allowing the compounds of the general formula (IIIa), (IVa) to react likewise as in (6), but with not less than bimolar amount of the mild oxidizing agent.

(8) Compounds of the general formula (I), in which R¹ is methyl group or ethyl group X¹ is oxygen atom or sulfonyl group and X² is sulfinyl group, and compounds of the general formula (I), in which R¹ is methyl group or ethyl group, X¹ is sulfinyl group and X² is an oxygen atom or sulfonyl group, can be respectively prepared by allowing the compounds represented by the general formula (Ia′), (Ib′) to react with equimolar or excess amount of the mild oxidizing agent likewise as in (6).

(wherein R² indicates methyl group or ethyl group, m is an integer from 2 to 5, n is an integer from 3 to 8, and X¹ indicates oxygen atom or sulfonyl group)

(wherein R^(2,) m, n and X² are defined in the above)

(9) Compounds of the general formula (I), in which R¹ is methyl group or ethyl group, X¹ oxygen atom or sulfonyl group and X² is sulfonyl group, and compounds of the general formula (I), in which R¹ is methyl group or ethyl group, X¹ is sulfonyl group and X² is oxygen atom or sulfonyl group can be respectively prepared by allowing the compounds represented by the general formula (Ia′), (Ib′) to react with the mild oxidizing agent likewise as in (6) but with not less than bimolar amount.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is hereinafter explained by concrete examples, but the present invention can no to be restricted by these examples.

EXAMPLE 1

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenylthio)propoxy]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate

To a stirring mixture of ethyl 4-(6-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)butyrate (1.6 g), potassium iodide (0.5 g) and potassium carbonate (1.45 g) in acetone (30 ml) was added a solution of [4-(3-bromopropylthio)-2-hydroxy-3-propylphenyl]ethanone (1.9 g) in acetone (10 ml) dropwise with heating to reflux. After heating and refluxing with stirring for six hours, inorganic materials were separated by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was separated and purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:ethyl acetate=9:1) to give the title compound as crude crystals (2.1 g, 72.4%). This crystal was recrystallized from ethanol to colorless crystals, mp 65-66° C.

Analysis (%) for C₃₁H₄₂O₇S, Calcd. (Found): C, 66.64 (66.53); H, 7.58 (7.72).

EXAMPLE 2-7

Likewise as in Example 1, compounds listed in Table 1 were synthesized.

TABLE 1 Example m n Yield (%) Analysis (%) Calcd./Found 2 3 4 70.4 C: 67.10 H: 7.74    67.24   7.88 3 3 5 75.0 C: 67.55 H: 7.90    67.54   7.91 4 3 6 58.3 C: 67.97 H: 8.05    68.03   8.10 5 3 8 66.9 C: 68.76 H: 8.33    68.79   8.33 6 4 3 63.9 C: 67.10 H: 7.74    67.08   7.89 7 5 3 65.7 C: 67.55 H: 7.90    67.49   7.93

EXAMPLE 8

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[2-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenylthio)ethoxy]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate

A mixture of ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-(2-chloroethoxy)-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate (0.60 g), (2-hydroxy-4-mercapto-3-propylphenyl)ethanone (0.51 g), potassium iodide (0.1 g) and potassium carbonate (0.65 g) in acetone (40 ml) was heated and refluxed with stirring for 19 hours. After cooled, inorganic materials were separated by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated. The resultant residue was separated and purified through silica gel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:ethyl acetate=15:1, then 9:1) to give the title compound (0.73 g, 82.8%) as brown oil.

Analysis (%) for C₃₀H₄₀O₇S, Calcd. (Found): C, 66.15 (66.12); H, 7.40 (7.50).

EXAMPLE 9,10

Likewise as in Example 8, the compounds listed in Table 2 were synthesized.

TABLE 2 Example n Yield (%) Analysis (%) Calcd./Found 9 4 76.5 C: 66.64 H: 7.58    66.64   7.59 10 5 64.7 C: 67.10 H: 7.74    67.14   7.74

EXAMPLE 11

Ethyl 4-(6-acetyl-3-mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)butyrate

(1) A mixture of (4-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio)-2-hydroxy-3-propylphenyl)ethanone (26.6 g), ethyl 4-bromobutyrate (92.9 g), potassium iodide (1 g) and potassium carbonate (26.1 g) in acetone (200 ml) was heated and refluxed with stirring. Each of potassium carbonate (13 g) was added thereto after 9 hours and 14 hours, and the mixture was heated and refluxed with stirring for total 29 hours. Then, inorganic materials were separated and the solution was concentrated under a reduced pressure. The resultant residue was purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with hexane, then benzene and finally benzene:ethyl acetate=9:1) to give ethyl 4-(6-acetyl-3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio) -2-propylphenoxy)butyrate (31.5 g, 84.2%) as light brown crystal, mp 60-63° C.

Analysis (%) for C₂₀H₂₉NO₅S, Calcd. (Found): C, 60.74 (60.89); H, 7.39 (7.58); N, 3.54 (3.38).

(2) Ethyl 4-(6-acetyl-3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio)-2-propylphenoxy)butyrate (10.6 g) and potassium hydroxide (4.5 g) in ethanol (100 ml) were heated with stirring under refluxing for 1.5 hours. Ice water and conc. sulfuric acid were added thereto (pH 1), and then the mixture was subjected to extraction. The organic layer was washed with water and aqueous solution of sodium chloride, followed by being dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated under a reduced pressure. To the resultant residue was added a mixture of ethanol (30 ml) and conc. sulfuric acid (0.5 ml), and the mixture was heated with stirring and refluxing for 1.5 hours. Ice water was added thereto and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and thereafter was dried over sodium sulfate, followed by being concentrated under a reduced pressure. Ethyl 4-(6-acetyl-3-mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)butyrate (7.8 g, 89.7%) was obtained as brown oil.

¹H—NMR (CDCl₃) δ:1.03 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH₂CH₂CH ₃), 1.28 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, CO₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.57 (2H, m, —CH₂CH ² CH₃), 2.12 (2H, m, —OCH₂CH ² CH₂COOEt), 2.5 (2H, m, —CH ² CO₂Et), 2.57 (3H, s, COCH₃), 2.6 (2H, m, —CH ² CH₂CH₃), 3.78 (2H, t, J=6 Hz, —OCH ² CH₂CH₂CO₂Et), 4.16 (2H, q, J=7 Hz, CO₂CH ² CH₃), 7.10 (1H, d, J=8 Hz,

7.28 (1H, d, J=8 Hz),

EXAMPLE 12

Ethyl 5-(6-acetyl-3-mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)pentanate

Likewise as in Example 11, the title compound was quantitatively obtained as brown oil. ¹H—NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.03 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.27 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, 2.39 (2H, m, —CH ₂CO₂Et), 2.57 (3H, s, COCH₃), 2.70 (2H, m, —CH ² CH₂CH₃), 3.75 (2H, m, —OCH ² (CH₂)₃CO₂Et), 4.14 (2H, q, J=7 Hz, CO₂CH ² CH₃), 7.10 (1H, d, J=8 Hz,

7.28 (1H, d, J=8 Hz),

EXAMPLE 13

Ethyl 6-(6-acetyl-3-mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)hexanate

Likewise as in Example 11, the title compound was obtained as brown oil with yield of 69.0%.

¹H—NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.02 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.26 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, CO₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.66 (8H, m, —OCH₂CH ² CH ² CH ² CH₂CO₂Et and —CH₂CH ² CH₃), 2.34 (2H, t. J=7 Hz, —CH ² CO₂Et), 2.57 (3H, s, COCH₃), 2.60 (2H, m, —CH ² CH₂CH₃), 3.73 (2H, t, J=6 Hz, —OCH ² (CH₂)₄CO₂Et), 4.13 (2H, q, J=7 Hz, —CO₂CH ² CH₃), 7.10 (1H, d, J=8 Hz,

7.28 (1H, d, J=8 Hz),

EXAMPLE 14

Ethyl 7-(6-acetyl-3-mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)heptanate

(1) A mixture of (4-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio)-2-hydroxy-3 -propylphenoxy)ethanone (5.8 g), 1,6-dibromohexane (25 g), potassium iodide (1 g) and potassium carbonate (5.7 g) in acetone (40 ml) was heated with refluxing and stirring. Each of potassium carbonate (2.9 g) was added thereto after 9.5 hours, 20 hours and 30.5 hours, and the mixture was subjected to refluxing for total 41 hours. After cooled, inorganic materials were filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated under a reduced pressure. The resultant residue was purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:hexane=1:1, then benzene:ethyl acetate=9: 1) to give (2-(6-bromohexyloxy)-4-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio) -3-propylphenyl)ethanone (7.3 g, 79.7%) as brown oil. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 0.99 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.2-1.8 (10H, m, —CH₂CH ² CH ³ and —OCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Br), 2.59 (3H, s, COCH₃), 2.70 (2H, m, —CH ² CH₂CH₃), 3.08 (6H, s, —N(CH₃)₂), 3.35 (2H, t, J=6 Hz, —CH₂Br), 3.77 (2H, m, t, J=6 Hz, —OCH ² (CH₂)₅Br), 7.30 (2H,

(2) To a mixture of sodium cyanide (0.89 g) in dimethyl sulfoxide (20 ml) heated at a temperature about 50° C. with stirring was added a solution of (2-(6-bromohexyloxy)-4-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio) -3-propylphenyl)ethanone (7.3 g) in dimethyl sulfoxide (40 ml) at 50 to 60° C. After further allowing the reaction for 15 minutes at 90° C., the reaction mixture was poured into icewater and subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under a reduced pressure. The resultant residue was purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:ethyl acetate=9:1, then 7:3) to give 7-(6-acetyl-3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio)-2-propylpheoxy)heptanenitrile (4.4 g, 68.6%) as brown oil. ¹H—NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 0.99 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.3-2.0 (10H, m, —CH₂CH ² CH₃ and —OCH₂CH ² CH ² CH ² CH ² CH₂CN), 2.36 (2H, m, —O(CH₂)₅CH ² CN), 2.59 (3H, s, COCH₃), about 2.8 (2H, m, —CH ² CH₂CH₃), 3.08 (6H, s, —N(CH₃)₂), 3.77 (2H, t, J=6 Hz, —OCH ² (CH₂)₅CN), 7.32 (2H, m,

(3) A mixture of 7-(6-acetyl-3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoylthio)-2-propylphenoxy)heptanenitrile (4.4 g) and potassium hydroxide (1.9 g) in ethanol (30 ml) was heated with refluxing and stirring for 1.5 hours, followed by being concentrated under reduced pressure. To the resultant residue was added ice-water and then conc. hydrochloric acid to be acidic, and the mixture was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, then dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under a reduced pressure to give the brown oil (3.7 g). Said brown oil (2.0 g) and potassium hydroxide (2.0 g) in water (20 ml) was heated with refluxing and stirring for three hours, followed by being concentrated under reduced pressure. To the resultant residue was added ice-water and then conc. hydrochloric acid to be acidic, and the mixture was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, then dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under a reduced pressure. To the resultant residue was added a mixture of conc. sulfuric acid (0.5 ml) and ethanol (20 ml), and the mixture was further subjected to refluxing for 1.5 hours. To the mixture was added ice-water, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 1.8 g of ethyl 7-(6-acetyl-3 -mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)heptanate (78.4%) was obtained as brown oil. ¹H—NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.02 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.26 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CO₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.2-2.0 (10H, m, —OCH₂CH ² CH ² CH ² CH ² CH₂CO₂Et and —CH₂CH ² CH₃), 2.31 (2H, m, —CH ² CO₂Et), 2.57 (3H, s, COCH₃), about 2.6 (2H, m, —CH ² CH₂CH₃), 3.72 (2H, t, J=6 Hz, —OCH ² (CH₂)₅CO₂Et), 4.12 (2H, q, J=7 Hz, CO₂CH₂H₃), 7.01 (1H, d, J=8 Hz,

7.27 (1H, d, J=8 Hz),

EXAMPLE 15

Ethyl 9-(6-acetyl-3 -mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)nonanate

Likewise as in Example 14, the title compound was obtained as brown oil with overall yield of 67.3%. ¹H—NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.03 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.26 (3H, t, J=7 Hz, —CO₂CH₂CH ³ ), 1.2-2.0 (14H, m, —CH₂CH ² CH₃ and —OCH₂CH ² CH ² CH ² CH ² CH ² CH ² CH₂CO₂Et) 2.30 (2H, t, J=7 Hz, —CH ² CO₂Et), 2.58 (3H, s, COCH₃), about 2.6 (2H, m—CH ² CH₂CH₃), 3.72 (2H, t, J=6 Hz, —OCH ² (CH₂)₇CO₂Et), 4.12 (2H, q, J=7 Hz, —CO₂CH ² CH₃), 7.01 (1H, d, J=8 Hz,

7.28 (1H, d, J=8 Hz),

EXAMPLE 16

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenylthio)-propylthio]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate.

A mixture of ethyl 4-(6-acetyl-3-mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)butyrate (2.0 g), (4-(3-bromopropylthio)-2-hydroxy-3-propylphenyl)ethanone (2.0 g), potassium iodide (0.5 g) and potassium carbonate (1.7 g) in acetone (40 ml) was heated with refluxing and stirring for 9 hours. After cooled, inorganic materials were separated by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated. The resultant residue was separated, and was purified through silicagel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:ethyl acetate=9:1) to give the title compound (1.8 g, 50.8%) as yellow oil.

Analysis (%) for C₃₁H₄₂O₆S₂, Calcd. (Found): C, 64.78 (64.66); H, 7.36 (7.38).

EXAMPLE 17-22

Likewise as in Example 16, the compounds listed in Table 3 were synthesized.

TABLE 3 Example m n Yield (%) Analysis (%) Calcd./Found 17 3 4 77.8 C: 65.27 H: 7.53    65.33   7.59 18 3 5 84.1 C: 65.75 H: 7.69    65.78   7.69 19 3 6 59.4 C: 66.20 H: 7.84    66.22   7.88 20 3 8 61.2 C: 67.04 H: 8.13    67.15   8.14 21 4 3 77.8 C: 65.27 H: 7.53    65.23   7.49 22 5 3 80.7 C: 65.75 H: 7.69    65.87   7.70

EXAMPLE 23

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenoxy)propylthio]-2-propyl phenoxy]butyrate

A mixture of ethyl 4-(6-acetyl-3-mercapto-2-propylphenoxy)-butyrate (1.7 g), (4-(3-bromopropoxy)-2-hydroxy-3-propylphenyl)ethanone (1.7 g), potassium iodide (0.5 g) and potassium carbonate (1.45 g) in acetone (40 ml) was heated with refluxing and stirring for 7.5 hours. Ice-water and conc. hydrochloric acid were added thereto, and the mixture was subjected to extraction with ethyl acetate. After washed with water, the extract was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under a reduced pressure. The resultant residue was separated and purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:ethyl acetate=9:1) to give the title compound (2.08 g, 71.0%) as light yellow crystal, mp 87-88° C.

Analysis (%) for C₃₁H₄₂O₇S, Calcd. (Found): C, 66.64 (66.85); H, 7.58 (7.56).

EXAMPLE 24-30

Likewise as in Example 23, the compounds listed in Table 4 were synthesized.

TABLE 4 Analysis Example m n Yield (%) mp (° C.) (%) Calcd./Found 24 2 3 77.4 oil C: 66.15 H: 7.40    65.87   7.39 25 3 4 83.4 oil C: 67.10 H: 7.74    67.20   7.79 26 3 5 78.8 oil C: 67.55 H: 7.90    67.56   7.87 27 3 6 68.6 oil C: 67.97 H: 8.05    67.97   8.11 28 3 8 50.2 oil C: 68.76 H: 8.33    68.84   8.36 29 4 3 74.3 oil C: 67.10 H: 7.74    67.04   7.76 30 5 3 82.9 oil C: 67.55 H: 7.90    67.62   7.88

EXAMPLE 31

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl -3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenylsulfinyl)propoxy]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate

To a mixture of ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenylthio)propoxy]-2-propylp henoxy]butyrate (1.2 g) in methylene chloride (40 ml) was added m-chloroperbenzoic acid (0.51 g) on ice-water bath and was subjected to stirring at the same temperature for 2 hours. The obtained organic layer was washed twice with a cooled aqueous solution of potassium carbonate, then with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The resultant residue was purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:ethyl acetate=1:1) to give the title compound (0.78 g, 63.2%) as colorless crystal, mp 74-76° C.

Analysis (%) for C₃₁H₄₂O₈S, Calcd. (Found): C, 64.78 (64.78); H, 7.37 (7.43).

EXAMPLE 32

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenylsulfonyl)propoxy]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate

To a mixture of ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenylthio)propoxy]-2-propylp henoxy]butyrate (1.3 g) in methylene chloride (40 ml) was added m-chloroperbenzoic acid (1.05 g) on ice-water bath and was subjected to stirring at the same temperature for one hour, followed further by stirring at a room temperature for 3 hours. The obtained organic layer was washed twice with cooled aqueous solution of potassium carbonate, then with saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The resultant residue was purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with benzene:ethyl acetate=9:1, then 7:3) to give the title compound

(0.97 g, 70.6%) as colorless crystal, mp 77-79° C.

Analysis (%) for C₃₁H₄₂O₉S, Calcd. (Found): C, 63.03 (63.11); H, 7.17 (7.19).

EXAMPLE 33

4-[6-Acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenylthio)propoxy]-2-propylphenoxy]butyric acid

To a mixture of ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenylthio)propoxy]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate (2.1 g) in ethanol (10 ml) was added a solution of sodium hydroxide (0.26 g) dissolved into water (10 ml). After heated on hot water bath for 5 minutes, the mixture was cooled by adding ice-water and was made acidic by addition of hydrochloric acid, followed by being extracted with ethyl acetate. The obtained layer was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. The resultant residue was separated and purified through silica-gel column chromatography (eluting with ethanol:methylene chloride=3:100) to give the title compound (1.3 g, 65.2%) as colorless crystal, mp 79-81° C.

Analysis (%) for C₂₉H₃₈O₇S, Calcd. (Found): C, 65.64 (65.81), H, 7.22 (7.24).

EXAMPLE 34-64

Likewise as in Example 33, the compounds listed in Table 5 were synthesized.

TABLE 5 Analysis Calcd./ Ex. X¹ X² m n Yield (%) mp (° C.) (%) Found 34 S O 3 4 74.3 oil C: 66.15 H: 7.40    66.18   7.46 35 S O 3 5 84.6 oil C: 66.64 H: 7.58    66.47   7.64 36 S O 3 6 96.7 oil C: 67.10 H: 7.74    67.25   7.79 37 S O 3 8 94.2 oil C: 67.97 H: 8.05    68.13   8.09 38 S O 4 3 55.3 oil C: 66.15 H: 7.40    66.19   7.57 39 S O 5 3 78.7 oil C: 66.64 H: 7.58    66.61   7.56 40 S O 2 3 76.5 oil C: 65.09 H: 7.02    64.85   7.05 41 S O 2 4 64.8 oil C: 65.64 H: 7.22    65.45   7.29 42 S O 2 5 89.0 oil C: 66.15 H: 7.40    65.92   7.39 43 SO O 3 3 80.9  62-64 C: 63.72 H: 7.01    63.58   7.28 44 SO₂ O 3 3 81.5 109-111 C: 61.90 H: 6.81    61.84   6.83 45 S S 3 3 77.1  82-84 C: 63.71 H: 7.01    63.69   7.12 46 S S 3 4 67.6 oil C: 64.26 H: 7.19    64.11   7.31 47 S S 3 5 88.0 oil C: 64.78 H: 7.36    64.58   7.51 48 S S 3 6 83.8 oil C: 65.27 H: 7.53    65.43   7.58 49 S S 3 8 89.9 oil C: 66.20 H: 7.84    66.36   7.92 50 S S 4 3 85.8  62-65 C: 64.26 H: 7.19    63.99   7.31 51 S S 5 3 88.1 oil C: 64.78 H: 7.36    64.75   7.45 52 O S 2 3 81.1 120-125 C: 65.09 H: 7.02    65.23   6.98 53 O S 3 3 68.8  70-72 C: 65.64 H: 7.22    65.71   7.23 54 O S 3 4 87.2 oil C: 66.15 H: 7.40    65.95   7.47 55 O S 3 5 87.5  55-58 C: 66.64 H: 7.58    66.60   7.57 56 O S 3 6 69.9 oil C: 67.10 H: 7.74    67.07   7.75 57 O S 3 8 78.5 oil C: 67.97 H: 8.04    68.13   8.12 58 O S 4 3 77.6  53-55 C: 66.15 H: 7.40    65.95   7.59 59 O S 5 3 84.0 oil C: 66.64 H: 7.58    66.51   7.74 60 O SO 3 3 83.1 oil C: 63.72 H: 7.01    63.54   7.05 61 O SO₂ 3 3 quant.*  83-85 C: 61.90 H: 6.81    61.79   6.78 62 SO S 3 3 93.0 oil C: 61.90 H: 6.81    61.53   6.92 63 SO₂ S 3 3 83.9  97-99 C: 60.18 H: 6.62    60.14   6.64 64 SO₂ SO 3 3 86.6 oil C: 58.57 H: 6.44    58.58   6.52 *quantitatively

EXAMPLE 65

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenoxy)propylsulfinyl]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate

Likewise as in Example 31, the title compound was obtained as pale yellow oil with yield of 81.0%.

Analysis (%) for C₃₁H₄₂O₈S, Calcd. (Found): C, 64.78 (64.76); H, 7.37 (7.38).

EXAMPLE 66

Ethyl 4-[6-acetyl-3-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propyl-phenoxy)propylsulfonyl]-2-propylphenoxy]butyrate

Likewise as in Example 31, the title compound was obtained as pale yellow oil with yield of 58.4%.

Analysis (%) for C₃₁H₄₂O₉S, Calcd. (Found): C, 63.03 (63.14); H, 7.17 (7.19).

EXAMPLE 67

[4-(3-Bromopropylsulfinyl)-2-hydroxy-3-propylphenyl]ethanone

Likewise as in Example 31, the title compound was obtained as pale yellow oil with yield of 55.2%. Mass spectrum (m/z): 346 (M⁺), 348 (M⁺+2).

EXAMPLE 68

[4-(3 -Bromopropylsulfonyl)-2-hydroxy-3-propylphenyl]ethanone

Likewise as in Example 32, the title compound was obtained as yellow oil with yield of 63.4%. Mass spectrum (m/z): 362 (M⁺), 364 (M⁺+2).

EXAMPLE 69-71

Likewise as in Example 16 and 31, the compounds listed in Table 6 were synthesized.

TABLE 6 Calcd./ Ex. X¹ X² m n Yield (%) mp (° C.) Analysis (%) Found 69 SO S 3 3 69.9 oil C: 63.02 H: 7.17    63.03   7.16 70 SO₂ S 3 3 77.8 oil C: 61.36 H: 6.98    61.44   6.98 71 SO₂ SO 3 3 68.3 oil C: 59.78 H: 6.80    59.97   6.85

EXPERIMENT 1 Inhibition test of bronchoconstriction in guinea pig

Male Hartley guinea pig weighing about 450 g was anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (30 mg/kg,i.p.), and the changes in transpulmonary pressure was measured according to the modified method of Konzett-Rössler (J. Harvey et al., J. Pharmacol. Method. 9, 147-155, 1983). Bronchoconstrictor response was induced by injection of leukotriene D₄ (3 μg/kg) into left jugular vein. Further, indomethacin and propranolol were injected into vein of the animal, prior to the injection of leukotriene D_(4.) Test compounds suspended in 5% solution of Gum Arabic were administered orally 2 hours before the injection of leukotriene D_(4.) The results of the Experiment are shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Example Dose (mg/kg, p.o.) Inhibition 33 3.125 28.0 6.25 40.2 12.5 63.9 50 94.8 35 6.25 10.7 12.5 51.3 50 92.4 45 1.56 22.4 3.125 54.2 6.25 71.3 12.5 72.7 50 96.2 46 3.125 38.5 6.25 46.6 12.5 37.5 50 94.2 47 3.125 29.1 12.5 72.5 50 92.9 48 3.125 33.6 12.5 79.7 50 90.7 49 6.25 19.1 12.5 58.9 50 77.7 53 3.125 15.2 6.25 50.4 12.5 60.4 50 66.7 55 6.25 36.4 12.5 45.0 50 88.0 

1. A phenoxyalkylcarboxylic acid derivative represented by the following general formula (I),

wherein R¹ indicates hydrogen atom, methyl group or ethyl group, m is an integer from 2 to 5, and n is an integer from 3 to 8, X¹ and X² each independently represent sulfur atom, oxygen atom, sulfinyl group or sulfonyl group, proviso X¹ and X² are not simultaneously oxygen atom; their alkali salt and hydrate.
 2. 4-[6 -acetyl- 3 -[3 -( 4 -acetyl- 3 -hydroxy- 2 -propylphenylthio)propoxy]- 2 -propylphenoxy]butyric acid. 